Posted: January 8, 2017 12:18 PM - 2837 Hits
Mid-Wales Stages - 4-5 Mar 17
Round 1 - 2017 British Rally Championship (Replaced by Border Counties)
Round 2 - 2017 Welsh Rally Championship
Posted: January 8, 2017 12:14 PM
Financial uncertainty forces cancellation of popular Newtown based rally, originally planned for 4th/5th March
After months of uncertainty over the future of rallying in the Welsh forests, organisers of this year's Grooms Garage Mid Wales Stages announced today (6th January) that the event would not run in 2017. The planned 4th and 5th March rally was originally billed as the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship, returning to the event for a second year.
The Newtown & District Automobile Club organised event proved a popular series opener. Offering world famous stages over the Hafren, Myherin and Sweet Lamb forests, the two day format provided a challenging start to the year for crews of all abilities.
However, with doubt surrounding entry levels and costs associated with running a forestry event in Wales of this size, organisers were forced to cancel the event after a meeting of members this week. The committee hoped its early announcement would ensure competitors, teams, championships and local businesses can plan accordingly to fill the gap left by the events departure from the calendar.
Please find the full statement from Newtown & District Automobile Club Ltd below.
"Following a meeting of Newtown & District Automobile Club Ltd's committee, it was decided that, due to the current financial uncertainties of running a forest stage event, the difficult decision to cancel the Grooms Garage Mid-Wales Stages 2017 had to be made.
The club would like to thank all the competitors, officials and marshals who have helped to make the event a success over the previous years and wish all the best to the rallying community for 2017".